Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: 1776 Rebel on November 30, 2008, 01:40:51 PM
Title: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: 1776 Rebel on November 30, 2008, 01:40:51 PM
The Jean Shepard story of his childhood Christmas has probably been heard, read and seen by more folks than all the gun blogs, advertising and TV shows by ten. I thought the ending was a positive statement and sentiment towards guns in a very gentle way. This Christmas marks its silver anniversary.
Nov 30, 7:33 AM (ET)
(AP) In this Nov. 13, 2006 file photo, a pedestrian passes by the home used in the classic film 'A... Full Image
CLEVELAND (AP) - Fans of the holiday classic "A Christmas Story" are celebrating the film's 25th anniversary with a convention and trips to the house where the movie was made.
The 1983 film, an adaptation of Jean Shepard's memoir of a boy in the 1940s, was set in Indiana but largely filmed in Ohio. The movie starred Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker, a young boy determined to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.
The film was a modest theatrical success, but critics loved it. It eventually joined "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street" as a Christmas cult classic.
"It's a film about being a kid and looking back," said Brian Jones, who owns the house where the movie was shot and the neighboring museum dedicated to the film.
About 4,000 fans are attending the convention at Cleveland's Renaissance Hotel, where they'll meet some of the film's actors, watch three documentaries made about the film and see the original 1938 fire truck from a famous scene in the movie involving a child's tongue stuck to a frozen pole.
"It is unbelievable that a movie has touched the lives of millions of families," said Phil Gillen, son of the late actor Jeff Gillen who played the movie's worn-out Santa Claus. He traveled from Miami with his family to attend the convention.
Avid fans Mark and Becky Tompkins also traveled to the meetup with their children, Madison, 9, and Brandon, 5.
"It's a Christmas movie that you can watch and relate to," Mark Tompkins said. "Everyone, whether they want to admit it or not, really wanted a special gift one holiday."
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on November 30, 2008, 01:56:20 PM
You'll shoot your eye out.......
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: Fatman on November 30, 2008, 02:18:26 PM
I was a manager at a movie theater this played film played in back in the day. This movie was a 'perfect storm'. I don't recall a film since that has such a great combination of perfect pace, characterization and interaction with a story line everyone can relate to. It's a feel good movie that brings you back to a simpiler time, both in history and your own personal life. Who doesn't remember when school was something you did before getting to the important stuff, or when Christmas was a magical season where the excitement was almost electric?
It ultimately didn't do well because of one thing - poor advertising.
There is a sequel to A Christmas Story, but I can't for the life of me remember the name. Different cast, decent but compared to ACS, it is found wanting.
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: ericire12 on November 30, 2008, 04:00:39 PM
I still have mine that my Grandfather used to teach me how to shoot with when I was a little kid.
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: ellis4538 on November 30, 2008, 06:24:58 PM
Never got a "Red Rider" rifle but I did get (and still have-I'm 62) a neat SA Army type BB gun. Have to dig it out and fire it up! Been a long time.
Richard
PS: Went to the "Christmas Story" house last year. Not much there but a lot of memories.
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: Big Frank on November 30, 2008, 06:56:28 PM
I was in the army when the movie came out but don't remember it EVER being on at the theater. Then when they showed it on TV I was always waatching something else, if I was even home, but I finally saw it last year and I liked it. I never had a Red Ryder but I had a Daisy BB gun 40 years ago that I shot until the mainspring was worn out. The BBs almost fell out of the barrel instead of shooting out. I had fun with my first "gun".
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: Fatman on November 30, 2008, 07:25:40 PM
I was in the army when the movie came out but don't remember it EVER being on at the theater. Then when they showed it on TV I was always waatching something else, if I was even home, but I finally saw it last year and I liked it. I never had a Red Ryder but I had a Daisy BB gun 40 years ago that I shot until the mainspring was worn out. The BBs almost fell out of the barrel instead of shooting out. I had fun with my first "gun".
It was in my theater one week before Christmas, gone soon after for ummm... Terms of Endearment, I think. THAT stayed for 2 months. Anyway, Christmas Story is our Christmas Eve family tradition now.
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on November 30, 2008, 09:15:57 PM
It is always on our TV on Christmas Day.......and we always stop wheat we are doing to watch the parts that make us howl..
(Like ... 3/4 of the movie.. ) :D ;D
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: MikeBjerum on November 30, 2008, 09:30:10 PM
I'm thinking duck for dinner ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on December 02, 2008, 11:55:38 PM
with flied lice? ;D ;D
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: CDR on December 03, 2008, 12:36:40 AM
Fa..Ra..Ra..Ra..Ra........Ra..Ra..Ra..Ra
My daughters have it on round the clock during the annual Christmas marathon....usually at least 12 hours straight with occassional food and toilet breaks. One of them gave me a Red Ryder BB Rifle for Christmas last year...my very first one!! I now enjoy shooting cardboard boxes filled with old magazines in my basement. Oh....and the card that accompanied the rifle.... Ralphie with his Red Ryder that said...."You'll shoot your eye out kid" when you opened it.
One of the best gifts I ever got....complete with a year's worth of BBs...... ;D
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: PegLeg45 on December 03, 2008, 12:41:41 PM
I have my Great Uncles 1953-54 era Red Ryder BB gun (it still shoots). It was his when he was a kid (he's pushing 70 now).
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: CZShooter on December 05, 2008, 11:04:22 PM
My wife almost bought me a leg lamp for Christmas a couple of years back http://www.redriderleglamps.com/ (http://www.redriderleglamps.com/)
I think she changed her mind because she knew it would be proudly displayed. ;D
"Fra-gee-lay...ooh, must be Italian"
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: SlideRacker on December 06, 2008, 07:10:13 PM
I want a leg lamp so bad! The only ones I have found were small ones. I think tha's the only part on the recipe I need to get the room to myself. Just one more tacky , man thing and the den is mine!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: m25operator on December 06, 2008, 08:04:15 PM
I wait and watch for " A Christmas Story " every year and still love it. The picture not so good, but here's my upgraded Daisy I put together for my niece but it wound up staying with me. Still a lot of fun. (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/m25operator/100_1409.jpg)
I need to get a video of my Russian Drozd up, it is way bad ass, and has never failed to feed or fire.
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: tombogan03884 on December 06, 2008, 08:06:24 PM
I wait and watch for " A Christmas Story " every year and still love it. The picture not so good, but here's my upgraded Daisy I put together for my niece but it wound up staying with me. Still a lot of fun. (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/m25operator/100_1409.jpg)
I need to get a video of my Russian Drozd up, it is way bad ass, and has never failed to feed or fire.
Just what you need, a "tactical" Red Ryder ;D Now you can "shoot your eye out" with precision ;D
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: mudman on December 06, 2008, 08:19:46 PM
+ 10 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: CDR on December 06, 2008, 09:10:17 PM
I've got a 4 power ACOG on mine........ ;D
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: MikeBjerum on December 07, 2008, 07:56:35 AM
You guys have finally achieved the right to have the "sniper Red Ryder" placed on the ban list ;D
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: CDR on December 07, 2008, 08:28:21 AM
You guys have finally achieved the right to have the "sniper Red Ryder" placed on the ban list ;D
It already is............McCarthy, Schumer, Bloomberg and the Bradys have added it to the banned weapons list..........along with lawnmowers, sharp sticks and kitchen knives with black handles.
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: MikeBjerum on December 07, 2008, 08:57:43 AM
It already is............McCarthy, Schumer, Bloomberg and the Bradys have added it to the banned weapons list..........along with lawnmowers, sharp sticks and kitchen knives with black handles.
Knives of color according to the newly approved BHO dictionary ;)
Title: Re: Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas
Post by: Bidah on December 07, 2008, 10:27:14 AM
Well guess what the boys are getting this year for the big day.. ::) We actually got them last year, but decided not to give it to them. I have had one for quite a few years that we all go and shoot, but this will be their "own". I am waiting for the first one to ask me to paint one desert camo.. ;D